Firearm supports and gas-assisted methods of filling firearm supports

ABSTRACT

A firearm support configured for gas-assisted filling with particulate matter having an enclosure with a cavity, first and second portions, and particulate matter disposed in the cavity. The enclosure has an inlet through which the particulate matter is introduced in the cavity during a gas-assisted filling process, and an outlet configured to generally retain the particulate matter and allow gas to escape from the cavity during the gas-assisted filling process. Alternatively, the enclosure includes a vent having a porosity configured to permit gas to escape from the cavity during the filling process.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority under U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S.Provisional Application No. 60/891,687, filed Feb. 26, 2007, thedisclosure of which in incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure is directed to firearm supports, such as firearmshooting bags, configured for gas-assisted filling, and methods offilling firearm supports.

BACKGROUND

Shooters often use shooting bags to support a firearm during targetpractice and accuracy testing. For example, shooters can place theforestock of a rifle on a front bag and the buttstock of a rifle on arear bag. The front bag is typically larger than the rear bag and caninclude an arcuate or v-shaped top surface sized to support theforestock of the rifle. The rear bag may include an arcuate or v-shapedsurface sized to support the buttstock of rifle. Other shooting bags aresized to support the entire rifle or a portion of a rifle so that asecond bag is not needed. For example, one such shooting bag includes along U- or V-shaped opening sized to receive several inches of a riflestock to support the entire rifle. Additional shooting bags havedifferent shapes designed for other applications.

Conventional shooting bags include (a) a fabric or leather cover thatencloses an internal cavity, and (b) particulate matter filling theentire internal cavity. One drawback associated with fillingconventional shooting bags is the time and effort required tosufficiently pack the internal cavity with the particulate matter. Ashooting bag should be firmly packed with the particulate matter so thatthe shooting bag retains its shape and provides a stable support for thefirearm. Accordingly, filling conventional shooting bags often requireshuman interface to evenly distribute the particulate matter and ensurethat the bags are firmly packed. For example, shooting bags that aremechanically filled often require a dowel or similar device to tamp theparticulate matter in the internal cavity. Gravity assisted methods offilling the internal cavity are also used, however gravity-assistedmethods generally do not pack the bags firmly enough to provide adequatestability when supporting a firearm. The mechanical or gravity assistedmethods of filling the bags therefore require additional steps and/orhuman interface that increase the time and expense of filling the bags.Accordingly, there exists a need to improve conventional shooting bagsand the method of filling conventional shooting bags.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is schematic side cross-sectional view of a firearm support and amethod of filling a firearm support in accordance with one embodiment ofthe invention.

FIG. 2A is schematic isometric view of the firearm support in accordancewith another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2B is schematic isometric view of a firearm support in accordancewith another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2C is schematic isometric view of a firearm support in accordancewith another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2D is schematic isometric view of a firearm support in accordancewith another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is schematic side cross-sectional view of a firearm support and amethod of filling a firearm support in accordance with anotherembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic isometric view of a firearm support in accordancewith another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of gas-assisted fillingof a firearm support in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of constructing a firearmsupport in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION A. Overview

The following disclosure describes several embodiments of firearmsupport (e.g., firearm shooting bags) and methods of filling firearmsupports. One aspect of the invention is directed to a firearm supportconfigured for gas-assisted filling with particulate matter. In oneembodiment, a firearm support includes an enclosure having a cavity,first and second portions, and particulate matter disposed in thecavity. The enclosure includes an inlet through which the particulatematter is introduced in the cavity during a gas-assisted fillingprocess, and an outlet configured to generally retain the particulatematter and allow gas to escape from the cavity during the gas-assistedfilling process.

In another embodiment, a firearm support includes a flexible bodydefining a cavity and filler material disposed within the cavity. Thebody includes an opening for receiving a filling mechanism during agas-assisted filling process, and a vent having a porosity configured topermit gas to escape from the cavity while retaining filler material inthe cavity during the filling process.

Another aspect of the invention is directed to a firearm supportconfigured for a gas-assisted filling with a filler material. Thefirearm support includes a cover having first and second portionsdefining an enclosure. The first portion is composed of a first materialhaving a first porosity and a second material having a second porositydifferent from the first porosity. The second portion is also composedof a third material having a third porosity different from the first andsecond porosities The first portion includes an inlet configured toreceive a mixture of a gas and particulate matter. The combination ofthe first, second and third porosities is configured to allow the gas toflow through the first portion and exit the enclosure during agas-assisted filing process while retaining the filler material in theenclosure.

Another aspect of the invention is directed to a method of filling afirearm support with filler material. The method includes flowing amixture of gas and particulate matter into a cavity in the firearmsupport through an inlet and evacuating the gas via a vent from thecavity while flowing the mixture in the cavity.

Another aspect of the invention is directed to a method for constructinga firearm support bag for gas-assisted filling with a filling material.The method includes constructing a body having a generally flexibleenclosure and forming an inlet in the flexible enclosure. The inlet isconfigured to introduce particulate matter in the flexible enclosureduring a gas-assisted filling process. The method further includesforming an outlet in the enclosure. The outlet is configured to allowgas to exit the flexible enclosure while retaining particulate matterduring the gas-assisted filling process.

Specific details of several embodiments of the invention are describedbelow with reference to firearm supports and methods of filling firearmsupports. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the firearmsupports configured for gas-assisted filling are also suitable for usewith gravity assisted filling. Several details describing well-knownstructures or processes often associated with firearm supports andmethods of filling firearm supports are not set forth in the followingdescription for purposes of brevity and clarity. Also, several otherembodiments of the invention can have different configurations,components, or procedures than those described in this section. A personof ordinary skill in the art, therefore, will understand that theinvention may have other embodiments with additional elements, or thatthe invention may have other embodiments without several of the elementsshown and described below with reference to FIGS. 1-6.

Where the context permits, singular or plural terms may also include theplural or singular term, respectively. Moreover, unless the word “or” isexpressly limited to mean only a single item exclusive from other itemsin reference to a list of at least two items, then the use of “or” insuch a list is to be interpreted as including (a) any single item in thelist, (b) all of the items in the list, or (c) any combination of theitems in the list. Additionally, the term “comprising” is usedthroughout to mean including at least the recited feature(s) such thatany greater number of the same features and/or other types of featuresand components are not precluded.

B. EMBODIMENTS OF FIREARM SUPPORTS CONFIGURED FOR GAS-ASSISTED FILLING

FIG. 1 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of a system 100including a firearm support configured for gas-assisted filling inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention. The illustrated system100 includes a firearm support 110 that can be used to support a firearm(not shown) individually or with other firearm supports. For example,the firearm support 110 can be configured for supporting a barrel,forestock and/or buttstock of the firearm. The firearm support 110 canalso be configured for supporting one portion of the firearm inconjunction with another firearm support configured to support adifferent portion of the firearm. In other applications, the firearmsupport 110 can be configured to support a firearm without the use ofother firearm supports.

The firearm support 110 includes a body 112 generally configured forsupporting a firearm. The body 112 can be composed of an inorganicmaterial, such as fabric, or an organic material such as leather. Thebody 112 can include multiple portions attached together forming thebody 112. For example, the illustrated body 112 includes a first portion114 attached to a second portion 116 configured to at least partiallysupport a portion of the firearm. The first and second portions 114 and116 can be composed of different materials and attached together bysewing, gluing, riveting or other suitable attachment methods. Inseveral embodiments, the first portion 114 can be composed of a fabric,and the second portion 116 can be composed of leather, plastic, rubberor other non-marring materials. Although the first portion 114 and thesecond portion 116 are composed of generally flexible materials, inseveral embodiments the first or second portions 114 or 116 may includea relatively inflexible material.

The second portion 116 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a recess 118configured to at least partially receive a portion of the firearm. Therecess 118 has a generally U-shaped configuration to inhibitside-to-side movement of the firearm and support the firearm in anupright position. In other embodiments, the second portion 116 mayinclude different shaped configurations, or the second portion 116 maynot include a recess 118 for receiving a portion of the firearm. Inother embodiments, the general shape of the body 112 may differ and isnot limited to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1.

The body 112 further defines a cavity 120 configured for receiving andbeing filled with a filler material such as particulate matter 162. Theparticulate matter 162 can include sand, dried rice, kitty litter orother suitable granulated media. The body 112 also includes an inlet 122for introducing a combination of gas and particulate matter 162 into thecavity 120. The inlet may be configured for receiving a nozzle (notshown) for introducing the gas and particulate matter 162 in the cavity120 during a gas-assisted filling process. The body 112 also includes anoutlet 124 configured to allow the gas to flow out of the cavity 120, asdisclosed in more detail below. In the embodiment of the firearm support110 illustrated in FIG. 1, the inlet 122 and the outlet 124 are locatedon a bottom surface 115 of the body 112, however the locations of theinlet 122 and the outlet 124 are not limited to the bottom surface 115.For example, the inlet 122 and/or the outlet 124 can be located on thesecond portion 116 or on a side surface 117 of the body 112.

The outlet 124 is configured to retain the particulate matter 162 in thecavity 120 and to allow gas to flow or escape from the cavity 120 duringthe gas assisted filling process. As indicated by arrows 126, gas canescape from the cavity 120 through the outlet 124 simultaneously as thegas and particulate matter 162 enter the cavity through the inlet 122.In several embodiments, the outlet 124 may be composed of a materialthat is permeable to the gas but not to the particulate matter 162. Forexample, the outlet 124 may be composed of a material having a porositythat allows the gas to pass through the outlet 124 while retaining theparticulate matter 162 in the cavity 120. Accordingly, the outlet maycomprise a vent, valve, screen, mesh or other material.

The system 100 further includes a delivery system 145 for delivering gasand particulate matter 162 to the firearm support 112. The deliverysystem includes a gas source 150 and a particulate matter source 160. Agas from the gas source 150 is combined with particulate matter from theparticulate matter source 160 and introduced in the cavity 120 throughthe inlet 122. For example, the particulate matter 162 may be combinedwith the gas downstream from the gas source 150. According toalternative embodiments, a gas line from the gas source 150 can includea regulator 152, and a gas line from the particulate matter source 160can include a regulator 154. The regulators 152 and 154 allow a user tocontrol the fill rate by controlling the amount of gas or particulatematter dispense. The regulators further allow different combinations andmixtures of gas or particulate matter for different bags. As thecombination of gas and particulate matter 162 enters and fills thecavity 120, the outlet 124 permits the gas to escape from the cavity 120as indicated by the arrows 126 while retaining the particulate matter162 in the cavity 120.

The system 100 also includes an optional pump 170, indicated by brokenlines, that may be operably coupled to the outlet 124 of the body 112.The pump 170 may consist of a vacuum or suction mechanism that evacuatesthe gas from the cavity 120 as the combination of the gas and theparticulate matter is introduced in the cavity 120. Accordingly, inembodiments with the pump 170 coupled to the outlet 124, the pump 170may assist in removing the gas more quickly from the cavity 120resulting in a faster filling time.

The disclosed system 100 and firearm support configured for gas-assistedfilling with particulate matter enables adequately filling of thefirearm support bag with little or no human interface. For example,during a gas-assisted filling process where the particulate matter 162enters the cavity 120, gas is permitted to exit the cavity 120 throughthe outlet 124, thus allowing the bag to fill with the particulatematter such that the firearm support 110 is packed firm enough tosupport a firearm in a stable manner. The system 100 also provides for aless-expensive and time consuming process, as additional steps oftamping or repacking the bag may not be required to adjust the amount ofparticulate matter 162 that fills the cavity 120. One skilled in the artwill appreciate that the firearm support 110 is also configured andsuitable for use with gravity-assisted filling methods. For example,when the particulate matter 162 enters the cavity 120 under the force ofgravity, the configuration of the outlet 124 allows air in the cavity120 to escape as the particulate matter 162 fills the cavity.

FIG. 2A is a schematic isometric view of a firearm support 110 similarto the firearm support illustrated in FIG. 1. In FIG. 2A and thefollowing Figures, similar reference characters are used to indicatesimilar features of the embodiments. Referring to FIG. 2A, the secondportion 116 of the body 112 does not include a recess 118 as shown inFIG. 1. Moreover, in FIG. 2A the body 112 includes a third portion 202extending away from the first portion 114 of the firearm support 110.The third portion 202 may be formed of a flexible material that is thesame as or different from the material that makes up the body 112. Forexample, the third portion 202 may be a sleeve or similar structure thatcontains the inlet 122 for introducing particulate matter 162 in thecavity 120. In several embodiments, the third portion 202 is configuredto receive a nozzle 207 for introducing a combination of gas andparticulate matter 162 in the cavity 120. In certain embodiments, thenozzle 207 includes a positional indicia (shown in broken lines) 209that indicates the depth of the nozzle insertion in the third portion202. For example, the indicia 209 can include a line or marking on thenozzle 207 that will align with a top end of the third portion 202. Inother embodiments, the indicia 209 is not used when the nozzle 207 isinserted in the third portion 202. For example, a portion of the nozzle207 can be sized to be approximately equal to the size of the inlet 122,such that the third portion 202 will receive the appropriate insertiondepth of the nozzle 207. The third portion 202 may also be configured tobe closed after the gas-assisted filling process, such that particulatematter 162 cannot exit the cavity 120 through the inlet 122 after thethird portion 202 is closed. For example, a closure mechanism 204located in or on the third portion 202 may close the third portion 202,thus effectively closing the inlet 122, following the filling process.The closure mechanism 204 may include, but is not limited to, hook andloop mechanisms such as Velcro, buttons, snaps, a zipper, being sewnshut, or any other suitable mechanism for closing the third portion 202.Alternatively, the third portion 202 may not include a closure mechanism204 in several embodiments where the third portion 202 is retainedproximate to the body 112, as described in more detail below.

The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2A also shows the outlet 124positioned proximate to the third portion 202 on the bottom surface 115of the first portion 114. It will be appreciated that the inlet 122 andthe outlet 124, as well as the third portion 202, can be positioned atother locations around the body 112. Similar to FIG. 1, the outlet 124may be composed of a material that retains the particulate matter 116 inthe cavity 120 while allowing a gas to flow through the outlet 124. Forexample, such a material may consist of, but is not limited to, a meshor screen material 220 that has a porosity different from the materialof the first and second portions 114 and 116. Accordingly, the material220 may be less durable than the materials of the other portions of thebody 112.

FIG. 2B is a schematic isometric view of a firearm support 110 similarto the firearm supports illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2A, according toanother embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2B illustrates severaldifferent shapes of the body 112 and configurations and placements ofthe outlet 124. Referring to FIG. 2B, the second portion 116 does notinclude a recess 118 as shown in FIG. 1, but rather a plurality ofshallow recesses 119 a, 119 b and 119 c. It will be appreciated that thenumber or configuration of recesses may differ from that illustrated inFIG. 2B. Referring specifically to FIG. 2B, the outlet 124 is shown aspositioned on a sidewall 206 of the third portion 202. The outlet 124may also be positioned to cover a portion of the sidewall 206 of thethird portion 202 in addition to an area proximate to the third portion202. For example, the outlet 124 may be positioned on a portion of thesidewall 206 of the third portion 202 while also positioned on at leastpart of the 115 bottom surface of the first portion 114, such that theoutlet 124 covers an interface 208 of the sidewall 206 and the bottomsurface 115. In other embodiments the outlet 124 may also cover theentire sidewall 206 of the third portion 202. FIG. 2B also illustrates aplurality of outlets 302 a, 302 b and 302 c configured to retainparticulate matter 162 in the cavity 120 while allowing gas to flowthrough the outlets 302 a-302 c. In several embodiments the outlet(s)may be shaped according to ease of manufacture and ability to retain theparticulate matter 162 while allowing sufficient airflow out of thecavity 120. For example, the shape and size of the outlet(s) may differaccording to the size and shape of the firearm support 110 and thelocation of the outlet(s). Accordingly, one skilled in the art willappreciate that single or multiple outlets 124 having varying shapes maybe placed in different locations around the body 112.

FIG. 2C is a schematic isometric view of a firearm support 110 similarto the firearm supports illustrated in FIGS. 1-2B, according to anotherembodiment of the invention. FIG. 2C illustrates a configuration of thebody 112 and placement of the outlet 124 with respect to the thirdportion 202. Referring to FIG. 2C, the second portion 116 does notinclude a recess 118 as shown in FIG. 1, but rather, the body 112illustrates another shape suitable for supporting firearms. One side ofthe body 112 may generally taper form the first portion 114 to thesecond portion 116 such that the first portion 114 is generally largerthan the second portion 116. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2C,the third portion 202 can include both the inlet 122 and the outlet 124.For example, the third portion 202 may be divided between the inlet 122and the outlet 124 by fastening the third portion 202 to itself, asrepresented by the seam 210 extending from the base to the top of thethird portion 202. In several embodiments, the third portion 202 may bedivided as described, or alternatively as separate portions or sleevesformed to contain the inlet 122 and the outlet 124. As described above,a closure mechanism 204 (illustrated in FIG. 2A) may be used to closethe third portion 202 containing the inlet 122 and the outlet 124.Moreover, other outlets 124 located proximate to the third portion 202or on other portions of the body 112 may be used.

The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2C also includes a nozzle 211 havinga first nozzle portion 213 and a second nozzle portion 215. The firstportion 213 introduces the gas and particulate matter into the inlet122, and the second portion 215 vents the gas from the outlet 124. Incertain embodiments, the second portion 215 of the nozzle 211 includes aporous cover over the end of the second portion 215 to prevent theparticulate matter from escaping from the support 110. The first andsecond portions 213 and 215 can be positioned in a larger housing 217(shown in broken lines), or in alternative embodiments the first andsecond portions 213 and 215 can be secured together by a belt or band219 (shown in broken lines). Moreover, in certain embodiments, thesecond portion can vent the gas from the support 100. For example, thesecond portion can be coupled to a pump or a vacuum source 221 (shownschematically) to remove the gas from the outlet 124 of the support 110.FIG. 2C also illustrates a second nozzle 223 configured for gas-assistedfilling of firearm supports. The nozzle 223 is inserted in a portion 225that is configured similar to the third portion 202 described above.Multiple nozzles and/or locations of nozzles enables uniform andsufficient filling of firearm supports. For example, supports havingdifferent shapes and sizes may require more than one nozzle tosufficiently pack the particulate matter during the filling process.

FIG. 2D is a schematic isometric view of a firearm support 110 similarto the firearm supports illustrated in FIGS. 1-2C, according to anotherembodiment of the invention. FIG. 2D illustrates a configuration of theoutlet 124 located in a fourth portion 402 extending away from the firstportion 114. In several embodiments, the fourth portion 402 may have asimilar structure to the third portion 202 described above. For example,the fourth portion 402 may be a sleeve type structure containing theoutlet 124 for allowing the gas to escape from the cavity 120 whileretaining particulate matter 162. Moreover, the fourth portion 402 maybe configured to be closed after the gas-assisted filling process withclosure mechanisms similar to the closure mechanism 204 described aboveregarding the third portion 202.

FIG. 2E is a schematic isometric view of a firearm support 110 similarto the firearm supports illustrated in FIGS. 1-2D, according to anotherembodiment of the invention. In FIG. 2E, the third portion 202 (and/orthe fourth portion 402 which is not shown) may be configured such thatthe third portion 202 is folded proximate to the bottom surface 115.When the third portion 202 is in a folded position, the third portion202 forms a generally planar surface with the bottom surface 115 toprovide a stable support for a firearm. In additional, the third portion202 at least partially covers the outlet 124 (shown in broken lines)when the third portion 202 is folded. Covering the outlet 124 protectsthe outlet 124 which may be composed of a material less durable than thematerial of the other portions of the body 112. One skilled in the artwill appreciate that the third portion can be located and folded atother positions on the body 112, such as the side surface 117. Inseveral embodiments, the fourth portion 402 of FIG. 2D may also befolded in a manner similar to the third portion 202 as illustrated inFIG. 2E. Accordingly, the third portion 202 may at least partially coverthe fourth portion 402 and form a substantially planar surface when theportions are folded proximate to the back surface 115.

In addition to folding the third portion 202 proximate to the backsurface 115, the third portion 202 may also be at least partiallyretained proximate to the back surface 115 (or other surfaces where thethird portion 202 is located). In several embodiments, a strap 502 maybe used to retain the third portion 202. The strap 502 may be connectedto the first portion 114 of the body 112 at the ends 504 of the strap502. Accordingly, the third portion 202 may be tucked under the strap502 after the gas-assisted filling process. If a fourth portion 402 isused, the fourth portion may also be retained by the strap 502 (notshown in FIG. 2E). Other holding mechanisms may be used to retain thethird portion 202 proximate to the body 112. For example, the thirdportion may be retained against the back surface 115 by a hook and loopmechanism such as Velcro, buttons, snaps, a zipper, being sewn shut, orany other suitable mechanism for retaining the third portion 202. Inother embodiments, a pocket (not shown) may be formed with the materialof the back surface 115 such that the third portion 202 may be tuckedinto and retained by the pocket.

FIG. 3 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of a firearm support 310according to another embodiment of the invention. FIG. 3 illustrates afirearm support 310 having a body 312 defining a cavity 320. The body312 has a first portion 314 and a second portion 316 suitable forsupporting a firearm (not shown). In the firearm support 310 illustratedin FIG. 3, the body 312 includes an inlet 322 for introducing acombination of a gas and particulate matter 362, and an outlet 324 forallowing the gas to escape from the cavity as indicated by arrows 326while retaining particulate matter in the cavity 320. The firearmsupport 310 illustrates that the inlet 322 and the outlet 324 may bepositioned in separate surfaces of the body. For example, the inlet 322may be positioned in a bottom surface 315 and the outlet may bepositioned in a side surface 317 of the body. One skilled in the artwill appreciate that the inlet and outlet 322 and 324 may accordingly bepositioned at different locations in the body. Moreover, the inlet andoutlet 322 and 324 may also include other embodiments described above,including but not limited to portions that extend away from the body 312and that may be closed and retained proximate to the body following thegas-assisted filling process.

FIG. 4 is a schematic isometric view of a firearm support 410 inaccordance with another embodiment of the invention. The firearm support410 is generally similar to the firearm supports described above. Forexample, the firearm support 410 includes a body 412 defining a cavity,and a first portion 414 and a second portion 416. In severalembodiments, the first portion 414 may be composed of a first material420 having a first porosity and a second material 422 having a secondporosity different from the first porosity. For example, the secondmaterial 422 may comprise a relatively small portion of the firstportion 414 in relation to the first material 420. Accordingly, thesecond material may comprise a gas exit region (not shown). The secondportion 416 may be composed of a third material 418 having a thirdporosity different from the first and second porosities. The thirdmaterial 418 may be suitable for contacting a firearm, such as leatheror other non-marring materials. Similar to the firearm supportsdescribed above, the firearm support 410 may include an inlet (notshown) for receiving a combination of a gas and particulate matter, andan outlet for allowing the gas to escape from the cavity while retainingthe particulate matter. In several embodiments, the combination of thefirst, second and third porosities is configured to allow the gas toflow through the first portion and exit the cavity during a gas-assistedfilling process while retaining the filler material in the enclosure.For example, the third porosity may be configured to generally not bepermeable to the gas. In addition, the second porosity may be configuredsuch that the majority of the gas will exit the cavity through thesecond material 402.

C. EMBODIMENTS OF METHODS OF FILLING AND CONSTRUCTING FIREARM SUPPORTSCONFIGURED FOR GAS-ASSISTED FILLING

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a process 500 that can be used tofill the firearm support 110 described above. The process 500 caninclude flowing a gas toward a firearm support at a block 510. At ablock 520, particulate matter is also directed toward the firearmsupport. The gas and the particulate matter can be combined at a block530. In some embodiments, a particulate matter source may be positioneddownstream from a gas source. Accordingly, particulate matter may becombined with the gas downstream from the gas source. Those skilled inthe art will appreciate that the gas and particulate matter can becombined using other methods. At a block 540, the combination of the gasand particulate matter is introduced in the firearm support and into acavity defined by a body of the firearm support. In some embodiments thecombination of gas and particulate matter may be introduced into anopening in the firearm support configured to receive the combination ofgas and particulate matter. While the combination of gas and particulatematter is being introduced into the firearm support, at a block 550 thegas may be evacuated from the firearm support while retaining theparticulate matter in the cavity. In some embodiments, evacuating thegas may comprise allowing the gas to flow through an outlet of thecavity during the filling process. The outlet may be configured to allowthe gas to flow out of the cavity while retaining the particulatematter. For example, the outlet may comprise a valve or a screen or meshmaterial. Moreover, in some embodiments the gas may also be removed fromthe cavity. For example, a pump may be operatively coupled to the outletof the cavity. The pump may create a suction to remove the gas whileretaining the particulate matter.

The process 500 accordingly provides for an efficient method of fillingfirearm supports with particulate matter. Evacuating the gas from thefirearm support while the combination of gas and particulate matter isintroduced into the firearm support provides for efficient and adequatepacking of the particulate matter. The process 500 enables a bag to becompletely filled without using other devices or means to tamp or evenlydistribute the particulate matter throughout the cavity to sufficientlyfill the cavity and form a stable firearm support.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating a process 600 that can be used toconstruct the firearm support 110 described above. The process 600 caninclude constructing a body having a generally flexible enclosure at ablock 610. The body may be composed of one or more portions attachedtogether according to the embodiments of the firearm supports describedabove. The body also defines a cavity that may be filled with fillermaterial, such as particulate matter. At a block 620 an inlet in thecavity is formed. The inlet is configured to receive a gas andparticulate matter into the cavity to fill the cavity. At a block 630 anoutlet in the cavity is formed. The outlet is configured to allow thegas to escape from the cavity while retaining the particulate matter inthe cavity. The outlet may consist a material having a porosity that ispermeable to the gas but not to the particulate matter. The process 600accordingly provides a method of constructing a firearm support that isconfigured to be efficiently and adequately filled with particulatematter requiring little human interface.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that specific embodiments ofthe invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration,but that various modifications may be made without deviating from theinvention. Furthermore, aspects of the invention described in thecontext of particular embodiments may be combined or eliminated in otherembodiments. Further, while advantages associated with certainembodiments of the invention have been described in the context of thoseembodiments, other embodiments may also exhibit such advantages, and notall embodiments need necessarily exhibit such advantages to fall withinthe scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not limited,except as by the appended claims.

1. A firearm support configured for gas-assisted filling withparticulate matter, the support comprising: an enclosure having acavity, a first portion configured to support a firearm, and a secondportion attached to the first portion; an inlet in the enclosure throughwhich the particulate matter is introduced in the cavity during agas-assisted filling process; and an outlet configured to generallyretain the particulate matter in the cavity and allow gas to escape fromthe cavity during the gas-assisted filling process.
 2. The firearmsupport of claim 1 wherein the enclosure comprises a flexible enclosure.3. The firearm support of claim 1 wherein the inlet comprises a thirdportion, the third portion being configured to extend away from thesecond portion in an open position when the particulate matter isintroduced in the cavity and be retained against the second portion in aclosed position after the gas-assisted filling process.
 4. The firearmsupport of claim 3 wherein the closed position comprises closing theinlet and folding and retaining the third portion against the secondportion.
 5. The firearm support of claim 3 wherein the outlet ispositioned proximate to the third portion and is at least partiallycovered by the third portion when the third portion is placed in theclosed position.
 6. The firearm support of claim 3 wherein the outlet ispositioned on the third portion and is at least partially covered by thethird portion when the third portion is placed in the closed position.7. The firearm support of claim 3 wherein the outlet is positioned inthe third portion proximate to the inlet.
 8. The firearm support ofclaim 1 wherein the inlet comprises a third portion that extends awayfrom the cavity when the particulate matter is introduced in the cavity,and the outlet comprises a fourth portion that extends away from thecavity when the gas is allowed to escape from the cavity, wherein theinlet and the outlet are folded and retained against the second portionafter the gas-assisted filling process.
 9. The firearm support of claim1 wherein the outlet is configured to receive a suction mechanism forremoving the gas during the gas-assisted filling process.
 10. Thefirearm support of claim 1 wherein the outlet is configured to allow thegas to exit from the enclosure at least as fast as the gas is receivedinto the enclosure.
 11. The firearm support of claim 1, furthercomprising a plurality of outlets.
 12. A firearm support configured forgas-assisted filling, the firearm support comprising: a flexible bodydefining a cavity; an opening in the body sized to receive a fillingmechanism during a gas-assisted filling process; and a vent in the bodyhaving a porosity configured to permit a gas to escape from the cavitywhile retaining the filler material in the cavity during the fillingprocess.
 13. The firearm support of claim 12, further comprising aplurality of vents having porosities configured to permit the gas toescape from the cavity while retaining filler material in the cavityduring the filling process.
 14. The firearm support of claim 12 whereinthe flexible body further comprises an upper portion composed of a firstmaterial for supporting the firearm and a lower portion composed of asecond material and containing the opening and the vent, wherein theopening is composed of the second material and the vent is composed of athird material.
 15. The firearm support of claim 12 wherein: the openingcomprises an inlet sleeve that is configured to be closed and retainedproximate to the body after the filling process.
 16. The firearm supportof claim 15, further comprising a strap attached to the lower portion,wherein the strap retains the inlet sleeve proximate to the body. 17.The firearm support of claim 15 wherein the vent is positioned proximateto the inlet sleeve such that the inlet sleeve at least partially coversthe vent when the inlet sleeve is retained proximate to the body. 18.The firearm support of claim 15 wherein the vent is positioned on theinlet sleeve and is at least partially covered by the inlet sleeve whenthe inlet sleeve is retained proximate to the body.
 19. The firearmsupport of claim 15 wherein the vent is positioned in the inlet sleeveand is configured to be closed after the filling process.
 20. Thefirearm support of claim 12 wherein: the opening comprises an inletsleeve that is configured to be closed and retained proximate to thebody after the filling process; and the vent comprises an outlet sleevethat is configured to be closed and retained proximate to the body afterthe filling process.
 21. The firearm support of claim 12 wherein thefiller material comprises particulate matter.
 22. A firearm supportcontaining a filler material, the support comprising: a cover havingfirst and second portions defining an enclosure, wherein the firstportion is composed of a first material having a first porosity and asecond material having a second porosity different from the firstporosity, and the second portion is composed of a third material havinga third porosity different from the first and second porosities; and aninlet at the first portion, the inlet being configured to receive amixture of a gas and particulate matter, wherein the combination of thefirst, second and third porosities is configured to allow the gas toflow through the first portion and exit the enclosure during agas-assisted filling process while retaining the filler material in theenclosure.
 23. The firearm support of claim 22 wherein the covercomprises a flexible cover.
 24. The firearm support of claim 22 whereinthe inlet is composed of the first material and further comprises anopen position extending away from the second portion and a closedposition folded and retained against the second portion, the supportfurther comprising: a gas exit region of the first portion positionedproximate to the inlet, wherein the gas exit region is composed of thesecond material and configured to allow the gas to flow through the gasexit region at a greater rate than through the second portion and to beat least partially covered by the inlet when the inlet is in the closedposition.
 25. The firearm support of claim 22 wherein the third porositydoes not allow the gas to flow through the second portion and the secondporosity at least partially allows the gas to flow through the secondportion.
 26. The firearm support of claim 22 wherein the third materialcomprises leather.
 27. The firearm support of claim 22 wherein thefiller material comprises particulate matter.
 28. A method of at leastpartially filling a firearm support with filler material, the methodcomprising: flowing a mixture of gas and particulate matter into acavity in the firearm support through an inlet; and venting the gas fromthe cavity while flowing the mixture in the cavity.
 29. The method ofclaim 28 wherein evacuating the gas from the cavity comprises allowingthe gas to exit from the cavity at a rate at least as fast as the rateof the gas entering the bag.
 30. The method of claim 28 wherein: thecavity comprises first, second and third materials each beingnon-permeable to the particulate matter; and evacuating the gas from thecavity comprises allowing the gas to exit through at least the first andsecond materials.
 31. The method of claim 30 wherein the first andsecond materials are permeable to the gas.
 32. The method of claim 28wherein evacuating the gas from the cavity comprises removing the gasfrom the cavity using a vacuum source.
 33. A method of constructing afirearm support bag for gas-assisted filling with a filling material,the method comprising: constructing a body having a generally flexibleenclosure; forming an inlet in the flexible enclosure, the inlet beingconfigured to introduce particulate matter in the flexible enclosureduring a gas-assisted filling process; and forming an outlet in theflexible enclosure, the outlet being configured to allow gas to exit theflexible enclosure while the retaining particulate matter during thegas-assisted filling process.